Hockey can be a dangerous sport, and I’m surprised more people don’t get hurt. The people I don’t expect to get hurt are sideline reporters.

During the Rangers vs Islanders game Thursday night, sideline reporter John Gianonne was doing his normal great job of calling a hockey game.

Gianonne was hit in the face with a puck near the end of the second period of the Rangers 4-1 victory over the Islanders at the Garden Thursday night, and like the tough guy he is, he stayed in the game, even as blood flowed down his face.

“It’s all good,” Giannone said after he was plunked. “Marc Staal came over and apologized (on the way to the locker room for 2nd intermission).

“It’s dangerous down there!” said Rangers play-by-play man Sam Rosen, who threw it to a stunned Al Trautwig.

Giannone took it all in stride.

“I’ve always said I have a face for radio, and now I really do,” joked Giannone, who was looking up at the clock when he was hit. “(Trainer Jim Ramsay) was phenomenal. I just wanted to get back out there. It’s hockey. I couldn’t spend the rest of the night in (the trainer’s room).”

“And I don’t care what it looks like,” said Giannone. “I’m still not wearing a mask on the air. That is not happening. No helmet either.”